Canucks and Beyond

After a long stretch of rehab from the torn labrum suffered during last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs, Ryan Kesler is apparently ready to return. From Iain MacIntyre at the Vancouver Sun:

Ryan Kesler’s path back to the Vancouver Canucks’ lineup has been cleared with the reassignment of sophomore defenceman Chris Tanev to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, opening a spot on the National Hockey League team’s 23-man roster.

In the final stages of recovering from off-season hip surgery, Kesler practised this morning on the Canucks’ second line between wingers Chris Higgins and Cody Hodgson. He also worked with Vancouver’s first-unit power play.

At first glance, it was a bit confusing to see Tanev being sent down to clear the roster space, but MacIntyre goes on to explain the choice of Tanev was simply the most “risk-free solution” being that he is waiver exempt… unlike Alex Sulzer who would be at risk of being snatched up.

As far as Kesler is concerned, he told reporters after practice that he expects to be playing tomorrow night against the New York Rangers.

Happy days are back…

Update 12:55pm PT: For anyone who’s interested, Chris Tanev’s father Mike will be talking to the Toronto Star tomorrow about the experience of parenting hockey kids to the NHL level—Chris plus his two brothers.

About Canucks and Beyond

Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003 (with a notable gap in time through 2010, kicking it with new baby Lucy while living knee-deep in chaos while reading "parenting for complete idiots" during every spare minute) sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen.

In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla's Korner, Alanah was one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast. She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York TimesSlapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.